On Sat, 13 Mar 2004 04:03:28 GMT, Salty Thumb
wrote:

"chaz" wrote in
thlink.net:

I have Shultz's "TAKE ROOT" Rooting compound. I was wondering if there
are any favorites or proven performers? I dont seem to have success
rooting.

chaz

If it's an easy to root plant, don't bother with the rooting compound.
Someone posted a message a couple of months ago to the effect that applying
rooting compound to an easily rooted plant is just screwing with it in a
non-reproductive way. I have only one experiment with roses to go by (no
rooting hormone - plants, +rooting hormone - sticks). I've also found
that rosemary roots fine without the hormone ... I didn't try with, as I'm
not inclined to use it on edible plants.

Also in the thread was a mention that expired rooting hormone is about as
useful as Viagra for Pinochio, but not in so many words.

Friend said she saw an article about putting willows in water and
using the water from the willows to water plants you're trying to root
as it makes a sort of rooting hormone, and putting cuttings that will
root in water in with the willows and they'll root quicker. Don't
know how well it works. I think I caught the tail end of a program
that talked about simmering cut up chunks of young willow branches to
make rooting hormone.

I'm sure there are folks who read this group that know more about it
than I do, that's why I mentioned it, so they'll comment ;-)

Janice